Bag filling machine



Marh i5? 1949 F. AHLBURG ETAL BAG FILLING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 24, 1947 Marh15,1949. F. AHLBURG am 2,464,545

BAG FILLING MACHINE Filed Feb, 24, 194'? 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN V EN TORS March 15, 1949. TF, AHLEURG l ETAL. @@49545 BAG FILLING MACHINE 3 Shasta-Smet 5 Filed Feb. 24, 1947 IN VEN TORS f;- A/ 4H Patented Mar. l5, 1949V UNITED STATES PATENT QFFICE BAG FILLING MACHINE Application February 24, 1947, Serial No. 730,502

3 Claims. l

'I'his invention relates generally to apparatus for handling and automatically weighing predetermined amounts of articles such as citrusfruit, apples, potatoes and the like. More particularly it relates to apparatus capable of weighing out a predetermined amount of such articles and depositing the same directly into receiving means in which the articles are to be marketed, as for example bags made of netting.

A considerable amount of produce such as citrus fruit, apples or potatoes is marketed in bags made of cotton netting. Each bag must be of a given weight within certain tolerance limits, which necessitates a weighing operation in conjunction with filling the bags. Application of automatic weighing machines to this problem is complicated It is an object of the present invention to provide an automatic weighing machine which affords a practical solution to the above problem, and which in particular is adapted to the handling and weighing of such articles as citrus fruit, apples or potatoes.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a machine of the above character which serves to prevent too much underweight or overage, and which in general will limit the underweight or overage to an amount which is not in excess of the weight of one article.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine of the above character which can be readily operated and which serves to automatically weigh in conjunction with filling of a bag.

Additional objects of the invention will appear from the following description 1n which the preerred embodiment of the invention has been set forth in detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawing.

Referring to the drawing:

Figure l is a side elevational View in section illustrating a machine incorporating the present invention.

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional detail illustrating adjustable means for the switch operatingr mechanism.

Figure 3 is a plan section view taken along the line 33 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a front view of the machine looking toward the right hand end of the machine as illustrated in Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a detail partly in section illustrating certain of the electrical switches, and the dash pot for the weighing beam.

Figure 6 is an enlarged detail illustrating the adjustable members for operating certain of the electrical switches.

Figure 'l is a circuit diagram illustrating the manner in which the various switches and solenoids are connected.

The machine as illustrated in the drawings consists generally of a frame 10 which is normally mounted upon suitable support means (not shown). Suitable conveying means such as one run of an endless belt II extends laterally across the frame IIJ, and is supported by suitable means such as the wall I2. Along one side of the conveyor II there is an upright stationary guide wall I3, and both the wall I2 and belt I I are tilted (Figure l) whereby articles (such as oranges I4) being moved by the conveyor normally crowd toward the guide Wall I3. Guide wall I3 is provided with an opening I5 (Figure 4) through which articles may pass, to drop by gravity into the bag I6 or other article receiving means provided.

Below the conveyor there is a weighing beam I'IA consisting of two laterally spaced forwardly extending arms I8, and a rearwardly extending arm I9. Arms I8 have fulcrum connections 2U with the frame I0, whereby the beam extends generally horizontal and may rock about a horizontal axis.

The forward ends of the beam arms I8 have pivotal connections 2| with the arms 22 of a bag hanger 23. The hanger is provided with depending lug-like extensions 24 which serve as mountings for the bag engaging prongs 26. Lugs 24 carry stop pins 25 adapted to engage the crossbar 28 of the weighing beam, thereby limiting the extent of oscillation in a clockwise direction as viewed in Figure 1. Crossbar 28 is also provided with a stop pin 23 which is adapted to engage the Crossbar 3| of the hanger 23, thus limiting oscillating movement of the hanger in a counterclockwise direction.

Prongs 26 are formed in such a manner as to facilitate threading of the same upon the upper edge of a net bag, and to retain the bag properly located with respect to the axis of the pivotal connections 2|. Thus each of the prongs is bent as illustrated in Figure 1, to provide the portions 26a, 2Gb, 26C, 26d and 26e. In general portion 26o is oll'set upwardly with respect to the forward portions 26a and the rearmost portions 26e. When the upper edge of a net bag is threaded upon a prong substantially as illustrated in Figure l, a portion of the bag is brought denitely into abutment with the lug iid, whereby such portion 0i the bag is suspended from the prong portion 25e. When suspended in this manner articles may be dropped into the bag and hanger 23 may oscillate about the axis of pivotal connections 2i, Without material displacement of the bag with re= spect to its vertical axis, and with the weight of the bag being applied along a line spaced from the axis of the beam fulcrum 2@ by a predetermined amount corresponding to the lateral distance between such axis and the anis of pivotal connections E (i.

In order to control passage of articles through the opening |15 in a predetermined manner, we have provided a pair of slidable gates or barriers and lit. These members are in the form ci metal plates having their upper edges 'laced with rubber or like resilient material. Their vertical edges engage within the grooved guides and 3S, which are carried by the frame lo. Each. gate is movable between two limiting positions, one being a lower or retracted position (see lig= ure l) in which the upper edge oi the same does not interfere with passage of articles through the opening iii, and the second being a raised position in which its upper edge serves to block movement of articles through the opening and to thus retain the articles upon the conveyor belt il. Where oranges are being handled the raised position may for example at a height oi the order or" one inch above conveyor. Each gate is shown provided with a stop-lug to .limit the lower position of the same.

Electrical operating means is provided of the gates Thus gate 33 is attached to a linlr (Figure l) which pivotally connects to one oi the lever fil. Lever (il is iulcrumed at d2 to the trarne al d its rear end [.23 is connected by linis with operating member of an electrical solenoid (Figure 5). The other'gate Sfl is similarly conH nected to link d5, which connects to lever il?. This lever is iulcrurned at and its rear extenm sion is connected by link iii to the operating member of solenoid liever extension also carries a switch operating nger to be presently described.

In order to properly counterbalance the weighing beam i an arm 56 is pivoted at to the rear arm l@ of the beam, and this arm is attached to the tension spring the other end oi which is anchored at 59 to the frame oi the machine.

Suitable dash pot means @l is provided to prevent rapid movement of the weighing beam. The arrangement illustrated consists of a rod havh1 ing its upper end pivoted to the arm oi the beam, and its other end extending downwardly into the dash pot chamber (Figure 5). rihis chamber accommodates the plunger @fl which is attached to the lower end ol rod G2, and operates in a suitable damping iiuid such as oil, which is maintained within the chamber. rThe dash pot chamber is attached by extension to the frame of the machine.

Means is provided to enable an adjustment of the counterbalancing spring from the front of the machine. rlhus arm 5G is engaged by the triangular cam plate @il (Figure l) which in turn is mounted upon the rear end of a bar (fili (Figure 2) rihis bar is slidably mounted upon the beam arm i9, and has a depending lug ll extending through the slot Lug il is attached to the rod lil, the forward end of which is threaded and lll slots anA engaged by the adjusting nut '16. Nut 16 is seated in the beam crossbars 28, and can be engaged by a screwdriver or like tool to adjust the same. lt will be evident that by turning nut 16, rod M is adjusted longitudinally to correspondingly adjust the cam plate Sii. Thus the angular setting of arm h6 with respect to the weighing beam is adjusted to effectively change the tension of the counterbalancing spring 58.

A suitable electrical circuit serves to energize the solenoids (lli and in such a manner that .the gates and ill are operated in sequential order, during a weighing operation. In other words during the initial part of a bag lling cycle, both gates are in their lowered positions whereby two or more articles may pass through the opening l Ei substantially simultaneously. Toward the end oi the weighing cycle however, solenoid lli is ener gized to raise the gate thus blocking passage of articles through the left hand portion of opening l5 as viewed in Figure 4, and permitting articles to pass one by one through the right hand portion of the opening, until the desired weight has been obtained or approximated. rihen. the second solenoid 532 is energized to raise the second gate Thereafter both solenoids remain energized to prevent delivery of additional articles until after the operator has removed the filled and has recycled the machine. Ilhe contact ing means included in electrical circuit in ludos the switches 8i iii together with a 1 siding switch Figure d) and recycling switch (Figure (i).

Switches iii and 82 can. oi the microswitch 7 type, and are shown carried within the mounting 3G the rear end machine (Figure ii). rinhe switches have operating fingers @l and Uil fhich are adapted to be operated by the 'fingers Gil and Qi (Figure 5), which are adjustably car by erin iii oi the weighing beam. The adjusting means illustrated convenient and desirable in that can be readily operated Ylrom the iront of the machine. Thus 'lnger 8- is formed as an end portion of a plate r2, and is ovided ith generally horizontally and inclined Retention pins 9G and Sil are attached to the adjacent arm oi the weighing beam, and are loosely accommodated within slots and whereby lengthwise adjustment of plate Q2 causes the end finger "o be raised or lowered. lug on plate s engaged by rod il@ (Figure 2), the forward of which is threaded and engaged by the adjusting nut Finger lli similarly formed as the end a plate and this plate likewise is provided with horizontal and inclined slots and i @fr which accommodate the same retention pins and Plate likewise is provided with a lug attached to the rear end ci an adjusting rod The forward end of rod id@ is threaded engaged by nut i i l. it will be evident that by turning nuts itl and ill by a screwdriver or like suitable tool the ngers SQ and Qi can be raised or lowered relative to the weighing beam, to desired switch operating positions. In general linger il@ is adjusted whereby when a desired fractional part of the complete weight has been delivered to the bag, switch linger 8l is engaged and moved to effect operation of the switch Si. Finger is adjusted whereby when the beam is substantially balanced, switch ringer has been moved a sufficient distance to operate the contacts oi switch Holding switch lill is adapted to be operated by linger which as previously described is mounted upon the solenoid operating lever di. Thus when member 4'I is swung under the urge of solenoid 52, the nnger engages and operates the switch operating nger |I3.

Figure 7 illustrates suitable circuit connections for the two solenoids and Ithe various switches. Switches 8| and 82 have simple sets of contacts as illustrated, and switch 83 has a double set of contacts. Switch 82 and solenoid 46 are connected in series with current supply lines LI and L2, by conductors lli, III and ||8. Switch 8| and solenoid 52 are similarly connected to the current supply lines by conductors IIS, I2I and |22. The two stationary contacts of switch 83 are connected respectively to the conductors III and |2I, and the arms of this switch are connected in series with switch 84, by conductors |24 and |23, the latter connecting with current supply line LI.

Switch 82 is of such a type that when its operating linger 88 is permitted to elevate a given amount (under the urge of spring tension provided within the switch) its contacts close with snap action. Switch 8| is of such a type that when its operating finger 81 is moved upwardly a given -amount (Figure 5) its contacts are closed by snap action. The contacts of switch 83 are closed with snap action by operation of its operating finger |I3, when engaged by nger 53. The contacts of switch 84 are normally closed but are momentarily opened with snap action when the operating member of this switch is depressed manually. As manual pressure is released the contacts automatically close.

Assuming that the contacts of switches 8I, 82 and 83 are initially open, operation of the circuit during a weighing cycle is as follows: When a given amount of articles have dropped into the bag the beam rocks a suilicient amount against the tension of the counterbalancing spring to close switch 82, whereby the solenoid 48 is energized. Thereafter articles continue to fall one by one into the bag until the beam is substantially completely balanced, at which time switch 8| is closed to energize the solenoid 52. Energizing of this solenoid not only operates its corresponding gate 34, but in addition switch 83 is operated 4to close its contacts. Closing of switch B3 short circuits both switches 8| and 8-2 whereby solenoids 46 and 52 continue to be energized irrespective of possible opening of switches 8| or 82. When the operator desires to commence a new operating cycle, switch 84 is momentarily depressed, thus interrupting the holding circuit and permitting all parts to return to their initial positions, whereby switches 8|, 82 and 83 are opened.

As previously explained when the gate 33 is elevated, the remaining portion of opening I5 through which the articles may drop, should be sufficiently small in dimensions that the articles can pass only one after the other. To enable adjustment of the machine whereby such operation can be obtained for various sized articles, we have shown a small supplemental barrier |28 which is adjustably mounted upon the side wall I3. For the smaller size articles this supplemental barrier is adjusted to a position where it blocks off a substantial amount of the opening left after gate 34 has been elevated. For the larger size articles it can be adjusted to retracted position.

It is desirable to provide a visual indicator I3I which can be readily vobserved by the operator from the front of the machine. 'I'his indicator can be a simple graduated dial in conjunction with a rotary pointer |32. A connection is made between the pointer and the weighing beam whereby the pointer will indicate a condition oi.' balance. This -connection can consist for example of a vertically extending bar |33 slidably carried by the frame, which has its lower end pivotally connected by pin |34 to the adjacent portion of the weighing beam, and its upper portion yprovided 4with a gear rack. A rotatable pinion is attached to the pointer |32 and engages the gear rack.

Operation of the machine as a whole will be evident fromv the foregoing. Assuming that the conveyor is in operation and that suitable means is provided to supply an ample quantity of articles (such as oranges) to the conveyor, the Iarticles are moved along the guide wall I3 and tend to crowd against this wall because of the tilted conveyor. Assuming that anvoperator has placed a bag upon the hanger 23 in a manner previously described, the switches 8l, 82 and 83 are opened, and the gates 33, 34 are in their lower retracted positions whereby the -articles may pass freely through the opening I5 to drop into the bag. When a major part of the total weight desired has thus dropped into the bag, the weighing -beam rocks upon its fulcrum suiiiciently far to close the switch 8| and thereby operate solenoid 48 and elevate the corresponding gate 33. This serves to block oranges from passing through the left hand portion of opening I5 (Figure 4) whereby the oranges must now pass one after the other through the remaining right hand portion 4of .the opening. When the number of oranges thus introduced one at a time brings the weight up to the predetermined value desired, the weighing beam causes closing of contact 82, thus operating solenoid 52 and raising the second gate 34. This serves to block all further introduction of oranges into the bag. As previously explained, operation of solenoid 52 serves to close the holding switch 83, whereby thereafter the solenoids are energized irrespective of movement of the weighing beam when the operator removes the filled bag. After a new bag has been applied the operator presses the recycling switch 84 and as previously described this opens the holding circuit and de-energizes solenoids 4S and 52 to permit the gates 33 and 34 to drop down to their lower positions.

It will be evident from the foregoing that our machine possesses many desirable features. The weigh provided is relatively accurate because during the iinal portion of the weigh the articles are dropped by one into the bag. Therefore the overweight is never more than the weight of one article, and on the average it will be of a fraction of such weight. The machine is relatively simple to manipulate by an operator, due to the automatic cycle involved, and the operator has no diiilculty in applying empty bags to the machine, or in removing the lled bags. By means which has been previously described it is a simple matter to reset the machine for different predetermined weights, and for the handling of articles of a different average size.

We claim:

l. In a lling and weighing machine for handling articles such as citrus fruit, apples, potatoes and the like, a pivoted weighing beam, means for supporting an article receiving means from one end portion of the beam, means for conveying said articles along a predetermined path, article guide means along one side of said path formed to provide an opening through which the articles may pass to drop into said receiving means,

a pair'of side-by-side gates each movable from an article passing position to an article bloei@s ing position within said opening, and means con trolled by the movements of said beam for separately and successively actuating said gates to move the same to said article blocking positions as the beam is brought to a position of balance, the time interval between the successive actuations being suflicient to allow at least one article to pass through said opening.

2. In a filling and weighing machine .for handling articles such as citrus fruit, apples, potatoes and the like, a pivoted weighing beam, means for supporting article receiving means from one end portion of the beam, means for conveying said articles along a predetermined path, article guide means disposed alongside said path and providing an opening through which the articles may pass to drop into said receiving means, a pair of side-by-side gates each movable from an article passing position to an article bloeiting position within said opening, means for actuating one of said gates to move the same to its article blocking position as the beam reaches a pref-determined position, and means for actuating said other gate to move the same to its article blocking position as the beam moves trom said pre-determined position to balanced posiu tion, the said gate-actuating means being controlled by movements of said beam.

3. in a filling and weighing machine for handling articles such as citrus fruit, apples, potatoes and the like, a pivoteol weighing beam, means for supporting an article receiving means from one end portion of the beam, mean-s 'lor l'co'nveving said articles along a predetermined path, article guide means alongside said path providing an opening through which the articles may pass to drop into said receiving means, a pair of side-by-side gates each movable from an out of the way position to an article blocking position within said open- REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 245,628 Grossniclle Aug. i6, llill 1,899,446 Smith et al Feb. 28, 1933 2,016,443 Levitre Oct. il, i935 2,346,531 Howard Feb. l., 19e-4 FOREIGN lD- sanciti Number Country Date ($341,841 Germany Aug. Eil, i936 

